Quote Of The Day - Tony Perkins

"The Southern Poverty Law Center is a massively funded liberal organization that operates under a veneer of public justice when, in fact, they seem more interested in fundraising ploys than fighting wrongdoing.

"This is a deliberately timed smear campaign by the SPLC. The Left is losing the debate over ideas and the direction of public policy so all that is left for them is character assassination. It's a sad day in America when we can not, with integrity, have a legitimate discussion over policy issues that are being considered by Congress, legislatures, and the courts without resorting to juvenile tactics of name calling.

"The Left's smear campaigns of conservatives is also being driven by the clear evidence that the American public is losing patience with their radical policy agenda as seen in the recent election and in the fact that every state, currently more than thirty, that has had the opportunity to defend the natural definition of marriage has done so. Earlier this month, voters in Iowa sent a powerful message when they removed three Supreme Court justices who imposed same-sex marriage on the state. Would the SPLC also smear the good people of Iowa?

"Family Research Council will continue to champion marriage and family as the foundation of our society and will not acquiesce to those seeking to silence the Judeo-Christian views held by millions of Americans. We call on the Southern Poverty Law Center to apologize for this slanderous attack and attempted character assassination." - Family Research Council president Tony Perkins.

Notice how all these reactions are coming on Thanksgiving, when none of their followers will hear about it?

Brian Brown Is Ever So Pissed About NOM Being Labeled A Hate Group

"This is an absurd distraction emanating from a once-great organization’s real mission---with all the actual hate groups out there, how can Southern Poverty Law Center stoop so low? This report is not an attack on NOM but on the majority of Americans who believe that to make a marriage you need a husband and wife. It is also further proof of what NOM has been saying: today’s gay marriage movement is no longer about tolerance, live or let live—it’s about driving out dissenting voices from the public square.

"Gay marriage now serves as the tip of the spear to a new campaign to demonize and generate hatred against those who adhere to traditional views of sex and marriage. Regular readers of NOM’s work know how we characterize gay people: those who support our vision of marriage, we welcome to join our work. For gay marriage advocates (the majority of whom are not gay) we say: we think you are wrong, and we will fight for our right to vote for marriage in the public square." - NOM president Brian Brown.

Yeah, as for that section I bolded, yes, Brian...we DO know how NOM characterizes gay people and it IS hatefully. We see the evidence every day and this week your Facebook moderator threw all pretensions out of the window.

Quote Of The Day - Matt Barber

"So, center-right America: If you happen to believe in the sanctity of natural marriage and that, as a culture, we're best served by honoring the Judeo-Christian sexual ethic of our forefathers, you're now an official 'hater.'

"Of course, the tired goal of this silly meme is to associate in the public mind's eye mainstream conservative social values with racism, white supremacy and neo-Nazism. The ironic result, however, is that, as typically occurs with such ad hominem and hyperbolic attacks, the attacker ends up marginalizing himself and galvanizing his intended target (I'm rubber, you're glue and all that).

"Hence, beyond a self-aggrandizing liberal echo chamber, the SPLC - and by extension the greater "progressive" movement - has become largely, as it stews in its own radicalism, just another punch line. It's often said that the first to call the other a Nazi has lost the argument. Congratulations, conservative America: They're calling you a Nazi. Carry on." - Liberty Counsel spokesbigot Matt Barber, riding the waahbulance over the SPLC's new hate groups list.

Pope Benedict: Even If God Did Make You Gay, You Still Should Not Be Gay

In another excerpt from his coming book/interview, Pope Benedict says that he doesn't know if people are born gay or not. But even if God did make you this way, you shouldn't BE this way. Or something.

He said it was still an open question whether homosexual inclinations are innate or arise early in life. In any case, he said, if these are strong inclinations, it represents "a great trial" for the homosexual. "But this does not mean that homosexuality thereby becomes morally right. Rather, it remains contrary to the essence of what God originally willed," he said.

Remember, God doesn't make mistakes. But if he DOES make mistakes, that's your problem to deal with. Benedict also says there's no inherent contradiction in calling homosexuals "intrinsically disordered" and still offering them respect. Got that? Yes, you are a mentally ill freak. But we mean that in the nicest way.

X Factor Star Styles at the Very Fashion Show

X Factor's Rebecca Ferguson, Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd were all at the Very.co.uk Christmas Catwalk Show in London on November 24.

Rebecca just gave a peek at a dusky pink dress but wrapped up in a black fur trim coat from Very's Fearne Cotton collection.

Katie wore a strapless gold brocade dress with a floral crop jacket - both from Love Label.

Cher donned a £65.00 black tutu dress from Love Label along with Rose Print Dr Martens boots - now sold out in most places, but you can get a similar look with Office's Jeffrey Campbell Floral Print Boots.

Pics from Getty and Zimbio

Paris Hilton in Black Orchid Jeans

Decked out in shades of blue, Paris Hilton was papped in Beverly Hills as she shot scenes for her upcoming reality show.

Paris paired a blue jacket with blue jeans from the Black Orchid brand.

A Chanel logo-covered handbag and one of her cute Chihuahua pups were her arm candy.

Paris's jeans are Black Orchid's Tornado Jewel Jeggings, they're currently out of stock in most places, but other Black Orchid styles (seen on many, including AnnaLynne McCord and Audrina Patridge) are available at singer22; and Manhattanite (25% off until November 28, using Black Friday code BLACKFRI25).

Pics from PacificCoastNews.com

Cher Lloyd's Lady Gaga Tee

A few candids of Cher Lloyd papped as she left another day of X Factor rehearsals.

Cher was wearing a Lady Gaga tee with her denim dungarees, an Adidas track top, and the rose print Doc Martens she wore to the Very Fashion Show.

Her Too Late To Dye Young Lady Gaga T-Shirt is £19.99 at moretvicar.com.

Pics from PacificCoastNews.com

Steal The Style - Jessica's Louboutin Pumps

Jessica Simpson rocked a black-and-metallic look at the SIRIUS XM Studio on November 23.

A bit of a boring look all-in-all, but her top added a bit of glitz.

Eschewing her own footwear line, her black patent pumps were Christian Louboutin.

Get the platform look for less with Target's $32.99 Mossimo pumps.

Pics from Zimbio and Getty

Elisabeth Moss at the International Emmys

What a change from Peggy Olsen!  While the other ladies of Mad Men are used to glamming up on-screen, Elisabeth Moss is used to going dowdy at Peggy but she got to pull out all the stops for a stunning look at the International Emmy Awards last week.

Along with her new longer tresses, Elisabeth wore a beautiful flowing gown from designer Bibhu Mohapatra.

Jewelry from Jamie Wolf topped off her look.

Pics from Getty

Olivia Palermo's Cinema Society Look

Back in the States, Olivia Palermo went chic in skinny pants and flats at the Cinema Society screening of I Love You Phillip Morris in NYC (Isn't that movie kind of old?)

Olivia wore leather pants, with her Armani tuxedo jacket and a lacy top,  the grey suede flats vetoing an almost all-black look.

Not sure who designed Olivia's flats, but with the gold circle they definetly have a Tory Burch edge.

Get a similar style with the Tory Burch Grey Flannel Reva Flats from toryburch.com.

Pics from Zimbio

US judge says lesbians can be ‘cured’ by male soldiers

An American judge has been accused of advocating corrective rape for lesbians.

Joe Rehyansky, a part-time magistrate and Vietnam veteran, wrote on conservative news site The Daily Caller that lesbians should be allowed to serve in the military because straight male soldiers could “convert” them.


The Daily Caller swiftly removed some of his remarks but not before they were picked up by other websites.

Mr Rehyansky, of Hamilton County, Tennessee, argued that men were naturally more promiscuous than women and “it fell to men to swing through the trees and scour the caves in search of as many women as possible to subdue and impregnate – a tough job but someone had to do it”.

Then, he claimed that the “promiscuity” of gay men, coupled with HIV, would have “the potential for disastrous health consequences” if gay men were allowed to serve openly in the military.

“Gays spread disease at a rate out of all proportion to their numbers in our population and should be excluded from the military,” he argued.

He continued: “Shouldn’t the overwhelmingly straight warriors who answer their county’s call be spared the indignity of showering with other men who achieve lascivious enjoyment from the sight of those lithe naked bodies, and who may be tempted to seek more than the view?”

Lesbian military personnel, who Mr Rehyansky praised for their “medical and administrative specialties”, should be allowed to serve because they apparently have low sex drives.

His final argument, which has now been removed by The Daily Caller, was as follows: “My solution would get the distaff part of our homosexual population off our collective ‘Broke Back,’ thus giving straight male GIs a fair shot at converting lesbians and bringing them into the mainstream.”

Mr Rehyansky was accused of advocating corrective rape for lesbians by some commentators.

Blogger Amanda Hess sardonically noted: “Once all the lesbians are easily accessible in one place, an army of straight dudes will turn them all straight, presumably through that time-tested tactic of subduing and impregnating women against their will.”

Five arrested in Met raids for anti-gay and transphobic crimes

Five people in London were arrested on suspicion of homophobic and transphobic crimes yesterday as part of a series of dawn raids.

A total of 247 people were arrested in connection with hate crimes in yesterday’s Met police operation.


The raids were timed to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, known as White Ribbon Day, and the majority of arrests related to domestic violence.

Of the five arrested in connection with anti-gay and anti-trans crime, one man was arrested in Islington for a public order offence on October 26th which allegedly involved homophobic abuse. He was bailed to return pending further enquiries.

Another man, aged 40, was also arrested in Islington and charged with a public order offence after allegedly verbally abusing a victim.

In Kensington, a man was arrested for breaching a restraining order which was issued in relation to homophobic harassment. He was bailed to return.

A man was arrested in Wandsworth for a public order offence. He was said to have verbally abused a trans woman and was bailed to return.

The fifth arrest concerned an incident in which two people were attacked in the street by a gang in Westminster. One person was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and bailed to return.

There were also 19 arrests connected to racist offences and one relating to crimes against the vulnerable or elderly by members of their own family or carers.

Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Darren Williams, the head of the Public Protection Unit, said: “We know that these types of crime are still under reported and we will continue to work hard to gain the trust and confidence of communities so that victims feel that they can come forward.

“My key message to victims of these offences is tell us what is happening so we can help you but if you can’t tell the police – tell someone.”

The raids were part of Operation Athena and, since 2006, have been carried out twice yearly to coincide with White Ribbon Day in November and the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in April.

London gay charity hopes to keep premises

London Friend hopes to buy the central London property it currently rents from Islington council after being told the building is to be sold imminently.

Founded in 1972, the charity offers counselling and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and receives little state support.

The charity was told last Friday that the building, on Caledonian Road, was to be put up for auction in three weeks.

London Friend chief executive Matthew Halliday said he was told that the charity would not be given “preferential treatment” or time to consider its options if it wished to purchase the property.

In a letter to council chief executive John Foster, he said he was “shocked” at having been given three weeks’ notice of the sale and that the “lack of consultation” undermined the charity’s 33-year relationship with the council.

London Friend’s rent was increased by 23 per cent this year, in line with other council-let properties in the area, and Mr Halliday said he feared that a commercial landlord could raise rates dramatically.

But this afternoon, after PinkNews.co.uk contacted Islington council, a spokesman said the building had been removed from the auction.

Cllr Richard Greening, Islington Council’s executive member for finance said: “We have received London Friend’s letter and are happy to talk to them about the possibility of them acquiring the property. It has been removed from this auction.”

Mr Halliday, who said he had not been informed that the auction had been cancelled, said: “I am so pleased that Islington council have acknowledged our concerns and are looking to help to continue to support Islington’s and London’s LGBT residents.

“If possible I hope to be able to discuss with the council how we may be able to purchase the London Friend Centre as a continuing resource and asset for London’s LGBT community.”

David Cameron tells gay men ‘get tested for HIV’

Prime minister David Cameron has urged gay men to use condoms, get tested for HIV and support each other in tackling the virus.

In a message for Boyz magazine for World AIDS Day, he said that HIV infection rates had increased in the last decade.

Mr Cameron also praised the “iconic” and “hard-hitting” tombstone AIDS ads of the 1980s but PinkNews.co.uk understands there are no plans to return to the controversial campaigns.

HIV activists are divided on the ads. Some argue that they “demonise” HIV-positive people, while others argue that a tougher new strategy is needed.

Mr Cameron wrote: “[The tombstone ad] was hard-hitting and thought-provoking. And yes, at times, it made uncomfortable viewing. But that was the point. It had such a positive effect on waking up my generation to the dangers of AIDS.

“More than twenty years on and we have come far. Prejudice is falling – though we still have to fight it. And increasingly effective medical treatments have been found – though there is still no cure and no one should be complacent, treatments are complex and have side-effects.

“However, one area where progress has not been good enough is infection rates. Over the last ten years, they have actually increased.”

Mr Cameron thanked the gay community for its work on HIV but said the fight was “still far from won”.

“You need to support each other in avoiding the virus. You still need to practice safe sex. You need to test and to know your HIV status,” he said. ” And as a society we need to continue to fight prejudice and stigma, especially as they can be a barrier to testing and treatment.

“I talk a lot about responsibility when it comes to my politics. And this World AIDS Day it’s important everyone thinks about the responsibility they have towards themselves, their partners and the wider community. Only together can we fight and then beat HIV and AIDS.”

Alan Wardle, head of health improvement at HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, told PinkNews.co.uk: “It is very welcome that the prime minister recognises that HIV remains a very serious issue and that we need to increase focus around testing.”

He added: “There need to be continued [HIV] campaigns, continued testing and efforts to tackle stigma.

“There should also be compulsory sex education in schools – a lot of young gay men are leaving school without any information, making them very vulnerable when they go out in pubs and clubs.”

New Tory head in Europe accused of ‘trying to block gay equality’

The new head of the Conservatives in the European Parliament has been accused of trying to block a motion to call for recognition of civil partnerships across Europe.

Conservative MEP Martin Callanan, who began his new post this week, tabled amendments to a motion calling for member states to recognise legal documents, including civil partnership certificates.

Mr Callanan argued that the issue was a matter of states’ sovereignty but Labour MEPs accused him of trying to block equality.

Three amendments were tabled to the motion by Mr Callanan and Polish Law and Justice Party MEP Konrad Szymanski, who said last year his party would always vote against gay marriage and adoption.

The Polish party and the Conservatives are part of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.

One amendment called for the deletion of a pledge to “strongly support plans to enable the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status documents” and add a reference to recognise “member states’ sovereignty in family law matters”.

The other two referred to respecting the principle of subsidiarity, or that government should not interfere more than is necessary with decisions regarding citizens.

The motion was passed without the amendments. It does not change the law but is seen as a step towards future legislation on recognition of relationships.

Arlene McCarthy MEP, Labour’s spokeswoman on the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, said: “I am shocked that a Tory MEP felt the need to table amendments to this report deleting the reference to civil partnerships.

“They seem to be saying that people in a civil partnership in the UK don’t deserve to have their partnership recognised when travelling abroad.”

Labour MEP Michael Cashman, who is gay, added: “Claims that mutual recognition will ‘undermine national sovereignty’ are plain wrong: it won’t affect national marriage or partnership laws, but simply recognise civil unions that already exist.”

Mr Callanan could not be reached for comment but a Conservative spokesman said that while the party supports civil partnerships, it does not believe the EU should force countries to recognise them.

He told PinkNews.co.uk: “Our amendments sought to ensure that matters related to family law are decided under unanimity with all 27 countries agreeing, rather than under a Qualified Majority system where one country could find its family law altered against its will.

“We fully support civil partnerships in the United Kingdom and we hope that other countries will cooperate to ensure that such partnerships are recognised abroad. However, we do not believe that it should be the place of the European Union to dictate family law or social policy in another country.”

The Conservative Party has promised to push for international recognition of UK civil partnerships.

An equalities manifesto earlier this year said: “We will use our relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights and for UK civil partnerships to be recognised internationally.”

Last year, the party left its EPP grouping in the European Parliament to join the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, which includes the Polish Law and Justice Party.

A number of the Polish party’s senior politicians have made homophobic statements, with the late president Lech Kaczynski banning Pride marches.

David Cameron has consistently said that the Polish party are not homophobic, although the Tories’ most senior gay MP, Nick Herbert, said in March that other parties had unsavoury European allies.

“Labour is allied with parties who have banned gay pride and called homosexuality a disease; the Liberal Democrats with a party that called it a mental disability,” he wrote in the Guardian.

He is thought to have been referring to Labour’s Bulgarian and Lithuanian allies, and to the Lib Dems’ Latvian and Lithuanian allies.

Russian gay activists hold first legal demonstration

Gay rights activists in St Petersburg held Russia’s first legal pro-gay demonstration last Saturday.

Around a dozen people gathered in the city centre with placards calling for gay rights, following a European Court of Human Rights ruling last month.

However, they were hugely outnumbered by an estimated 100 counter-demonstrators, who threw eggs and shouted anti-gay abuse.

Reports say no one was injured but gay activists claimed that officers had done little to ensure participants’ protection.

Maria Efremenkova, who organised the gay march, told Gay City News: “These fanatics screamed homophobic insults at us and chanted religious songs and slogans, threw eggs at us, and finally tore down our posters, banners, and rainbow flags, at which point we ended the demonstration after about 40 minutes.”

But she added: “The impact of breaking the silence on homosexuality cannot be overestimated.

“Seeing strong, proud gay people speaking out and standing up for themselves and declaring they want the same human rights as everyone else inspires many people – especially those gays in the closet and young people struggling with creating their own identity in a homophobic society – to know they are not alone.”

Last month, the European Court of Human Rights upheld three complaints over Russian capital Moscow’s ban on gay Pride marches.

Russian gay rights leader Nikolai Alekseev complained to the court that the parade bans in 2006, 2007 and 2008 breached the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court ruled that Russia could not justify bans on gay rights demonstrations.

Anti-gay groups upset at being called ‘hateful’

US anti-gay organisations have hit back after being included on a list of ‘hate groups’.

The Family Research Council (FRC) and National Organization for Marriage (NOM) were named by a civil rights body as two of 18 groups which “demonise” gay people and propagate “known falsehoods”.

The list was compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

FRC president Tony Perkins accused the centre of slander and claimed his group always worked with ” civility and compassion”.

Calling the list a “deliberately timed smear campaign”, he added: “Family Research Council will continue to champion marriage and family as the foundation of our society and will not acquiesce to those seeking to silence the Judeo-Christian views held by millions of Americans.

“We call on the Southern Poverty Law Center to apologise for this slanderous attack and attempted character assassination.”

According to the SPLC, FRC senior research fellows Tim Dailey and Peter Sprigg have both claimed that homosexuality is linked to paedophilia and Mr Sprigg said in 2008 that there should be “criminal sanctions on homosexual behaviour”.

Another group on the list, the National Organization for Marriage, said the SPLC was trying to equate gay marriage opponents to racists.

President Brian Brown told the Washington Post: “This is about protecting marriage. This isn’t about being anti-anyone.

“The whole idea that somehow those folks who stand up for traditional marriage, like the Family Research Council, are hateful is wrong. [The law center is] trying to marginalise and intimidate folks for standing up for marriage and also trying to equate them somehow to the KKK.”

Last year, NOM was mocked by critics after it produced a video claiming that gay marriage would damage people’s rights and lifestyles.

The group was accused of peddling “outrageous falsehoods” by gay rights campaigners and tried to have its original films removed from YouTube after spoofs were made.

Outfit IDs - Blake Lively at the Lorraine Schwartz Launch

Blake Lively at the Lorraine Schwartz 2BHAPPY Jewelry Collection Launch in New York City on November 22.

Blake wore her colored frock fringe-front dress from Versace with a bunch of tribal-style bangles and some uber glam drop earrings courtesy of Lorraine Schwartz.

And like Blake's jewels didn't give her enough bling, her footwear was Christian Louboutin's crystal adorned "Amber" Sandals - $2,455 at saksfifthavenue.com.

Pics from Zimbio

Steal The Style - Beyonce's Chic White Dress

Beyonce Knowles at launch of Lorraine Schwartz's '2BHAPPY' Jewelry Collection at Lavo in NYC on November 22.

Beyonce was looking elegant in a form-fitting little white dress from Antonio Berardi.

Her jewels were, of course, Lorraine Schwartz, and her heels were from Cesare Paciotti.

Get a similar short-sleeved fitted dress look with Dillard's $48.00 "Sangria" Dress.

Pics from Zimbio

Miley Cyrus - Beautiful in Marchesa at the AMAs

Wrapped up like a Christmas present, Miley Cyrus looked so good the the 2010 American Music Awards red carpet.

Loving her little pale pink Marchesa dress which featured a gorgeous bow back.

She teamed the dress with equally gorgeous shoes - Christian Louboutin's Crystal-Covered Mesh "Maralena" Pumps (available on-line at saksfifthavenue.com, costing a mega $2445.00).

All her incredible jewelry was from Neil Lane.

Pics from Zimbio 
 

Stana Katic at the 2010 AMA Awards

Stana Katic was on the 2010 American Music Awards red carpet and rocked a gorgeous little metallic dress - very similar to the one she wore at the SAG Awards when she was widely mistaken for Mischa Barton.

This time she showed off her legs, and lowered the neckline in a dress from Oday Shakar - the same who designed her SAG dress (no wonder they look similar).

Stana wore the dress with some matchy metallic Louboutin pumps.

Pics from Zimbio

Sheer Lace Delight - Heidi Klum at the 2010 AMAs

Heidi Klum at the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 21.
 
Heidi was elegant in her black lace gown, but maybe a little too elegant.  This dress is more SAG Awards than AMA.

Not sure of a designer for the dress (possibly a Project Runway desginer) but she wore it with black-and-red Charlotte Olympia heels to perfectly match her black-and-red belt.

An up-do and some gothic drop earrings completed her look.

Pics from Zimbio
 

Katy Perry in Badgely Mischka at the AMAs

Katy Perry on the red carpet at the 2010 American Music Awards in LA.

Katy went for a sugar sweet look in a cotton candy-colored dress from Badgely Mischka.

She teamed the dress with nude Brian Atwood peep-toes, and sparkly Vram, and Brumani jewels - plus her new wedding ring.

Pics from Getty

Outfit IDs - Taylor Swift at the 2010 AMAs

Taylor Swift showed off some eye-skimming bangs (probably temporary) and a rocking little dress as she attended the American Music Awards on November 21.

Taylor's embellished Collette Dinnigan dress was teamed with strappy Jimmy Choo heels, and a ring from Amrapali.

Pics from Zimbio

Pixie Lott - Christmas Light Pretty in Lipsy

Pixie Lott was out at Lipsy on November 20 for the switching on of the store's Christmas lights. 

Pixie, who has a collection with the brand, was in a snowy white dress with bold Vivienne Westwood logo necklaces and some little black lace-up brogues.

The dress is the Chiffon Prom Dress from her range - cutely embellished with little crystals.  It costs £70.00 on-line at the lipsy website.

Pics from pixiedaily.org

AnnaLynne McCord in Furry Alice + Olivia

AnnaLynne McCord at the 2010 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute held in LA on November 20. 

AnnaLynne rocked her look, like she always does, but it wasn't a total hit. Fur cuffs are okay in context - ski slopes, out in winter, ice rinks etc. but on the red carpet with a slinky black dress - uh uh!  Plus, they're real fox fur - what a waste of a gorgeous animal!

She wore the Alice + Olivia "Adrianna" dress (which has also been seen on Katie Cassidy) with some strappy Christian Louboutin heels.

Pics from Zimbio

Steal The Style - Renee Zellweger in Pink Herrera

Renee Zellweger made an appearance at the 2010 CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute held at LA's Shrine Auditorium on November 20.

Great to see Renee back at an event again, and she looked so pretty in her pink dress from (no surprises) Carolina Herrera.

Get a similar one-shouldered satin look with the $49.97 Adrianna Papell dress from nordstrom.com - super similar shade and shoulder detail!

Pics from Zimbio